General News
Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Empowers Youths with Digital Skills
Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government, recently empowered youths in the area with digital skills at its annual programme tagged: “The Mindset with Vice Chairman, Lucky Uduikhue”.
The event in its 8th edition themed: “Powering the Next Generation of Digital Leadership.” was organized in partnership with Willis Capital, Wmarkets and Willis University. The event attended by over 3,000 youths of the local government witness training in skills such as; FX trading, digital currency investments among others.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, executive governor of Lagos, represented by Hon. Samuel Egube, his deputy chief of staff, said that it is always said that when we build the youths, we build the nation.
“The Governor’s second agenda has heightened the focus on inclusion for our youth’s population. We see this event as a partnership with the government of Lagos state to encourage self-development, entrepreneurship and mindset-development.
“And today, we excited that is why we are here as it aligns with what the governor is doing. We can as well see that our people are eager to learn and participate for growth. This is what we stand for in Lagos. Special thanks to the Vice Chairman and the partner. This is a good sign of what the local governments can do and the impact they can make in their environment.
Also speaking at the event, Hon. Fatai Adekunle Ayoola, executive chairman, Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government, said his leadership has been instrumental in driving positive change in our community, and we are grateful for this vision and dedication. “Our commitment to youth empowerment is evident in various initiatives, including the just concluded Ajeromi-Ifelodun Youth Empowerment Summit and the Women Summit.
“We are committed to bridging the technology gap in Ajegunle and promoting digital inclusion. We believe that by empowering our youths with digital skills, we can unlock their potential and create a brighter future for our community.
Mr. Lucky Uduikhue, vice chairman of the local government, said that they have empowered over 3000 youths at this year’s event through their partnership with Willis Capital, WMarket and Datapoint Forex and Tech Academy.
“Today’s message is just about value and that we shouldn’t devalue ourselves. Every youth here will be leaving here with value.
This year’s edition was massive with huge turnout of youths which is an indication that people are ready to move from the direction they are to another direction. Because, the world has moved from analogue system to digital system and the message of today is about digital inclusion making sure that people get value from whatever they do for a living.
The massive turnout of youths and adult alike shows that digital is the way forward. We noticed that most of them have the knowledge but don’t know the direction to go.
The training for today showed them the way to go. Looking at blockchain, Artificial intelligence and generally web3 technology shows that the way forward is to embrace digital platform which they have chosen today. Those with little knowledge are ready to expand it; those without knowledge of it have signed on for an opportunity in that direction.
This journey is about relationship. We have built relationship as a local government with our people, that is the reason why we have a strong partner – Willis capital, WMarket and Willis University.
In as addition, we are partnering with Datapoint Forex and Tech Academy which is a base within the community which was officially launched today. We are going to take interested youths to that centre for physical training and mentorship as well as support they need to take off.
DataPoint Forex and Tech Academy also have online tutorials as well for those that cannot attend physically due to the nature of their work or business.
Obinna Aso, Chief Operating Officer, Willis Capital expressed delight at the turnout of youths to participate in the programme.
“We are here today to support this initiative and to change the mindset of the youths here positively. We are the official partner of this event this year and we heard good things about this local government before provide our support. We are going to be training them, provide funding for the talented youths.
“In this event, we are going to be giving a $3000 account to over 20 youths who can work because we are in the business of training talented youths. What we are doing today is a paradigm shift from the normal way youths live their life by encouraging them to embrace digital economy.
“Opening their minds to the new ways of life currently. We don’t want people to keep their minds locked in the old ways of looking for means of livelihood. We want youths to own their destiny and fight for themselves.
“The digital space is open to everyone, there is no barriers to entry, one can come in and changed his/her life. A lot of people have changed their lives. Our CEO in person of Dapo Willis changed his life by embracing the digital economy 13 years ago and today he has been impacting lives across the world. We are encouraging everyone in Ajeromi Ifelodun Local government to do the same”.
Nigeria’s startup ecosystem received a fresh injection of momentum as top emerging ventures secured funding and investor attention at the iHatch National Demo Day, where Interface Africa clinched the highest prize of $15,000.
The 4th cohort of the NITDA–JICA-backed accelerator brought together founders, policymakers, and venture stakeholders in Abuja, showcasing innovations ranging from clean-energy financing and digital food marketplaces to next-gen fintech tools.
The startups went rounds of running through state-level selections and regional competition. iHatch was established in 2021 as a strategic partnership to create an enabling environment for young Nigerians to develop and scale their innovative solutions.
The iHatch National Demo Day (4th Cohort), is an initiative by NITDA and JICA which provides a clear pathway for homegrown talent to contribute significantly to economic diversification and digital transformation.
After rigorous selection processes, the top founders converged to pitch their innovations, recognised the standout performers, which are:
Interface Africa with $15,000, the firm is driving Nigeria’s clean energy transition by enabling structured and affordable solar financing.
Ahioma with $12,000, the firm enhances food accessibility with a digital marketplace connecting consumers directly to trusted vendors.
Linia Finance with $10,000, the firm is helping Nigerians take control of their finances with tools for budgeting, tracking, and smart money planning.
Chapta got a laptop reward. They delivering an offline-capable school application ensuring consistent, accessible learning for students everywhere.
Softdrop also got a laptop reward, they solve logistics challenges through a modern delivery platform designed for speed, convenience, and efficiency.
Fidelity Bank Plc, a leading financial institution, will host a free virtual training on the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 (NTA) as part of its commitment to helping small businesses prepare for the upcoming legislation.
Fidelity Bank
The masterclass is scheduled for 10:00 AM (Nigerian time) on Friday, 12 December 2025. It will provide participants with clear insights into changes in the tax framework, the impact on income and business operations, and practical steps to avoid penalties in 2026.
Attendees will also learn strategies to stay ahead in an evolving regulatory environment.
The Nigerian government enacted major tax reforms on 26 June 2025 when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed four tax bills into law.
These Acts will take effect on 1 January 2026 and represent a significant overhaul of the country’s tax system.
The reforms aim to modernize and harmonize Nigeria’s tax framework, improve revenue generation, broaden the tax base, and create clearer rules for individuals, businesses, and government agencies.
“Our decision to host this masterclass reflects our commitment to empowering businesses with the right information ahead of the commencement of the new tax regime.
“Information is money and a well-informed business owner is already steps ahead in the race to success.
“This is why we are bringing experts to provide accurate details and demystify the tax act,” said Osita Ede, Divisional Head, Product Development, Fidelity Bank Plc.
Interested participants can register via https://bit.ly/2026TaxLawMasterclass .
PalmPay, Nigeria’s leading digital banking platform, has renewed its commitment to deepening financial inclusion across the country. At the CeBIH Annual Conference 2025, themed “Reimagining Financial Inclusion through Cultural Shifts in Consumer Credit,” PalmPay’s Managing Director, Chika Nwosu, urged industry players to deepen financial inclusion by embracing community-aligned solutions and customer-centric innovations that can better serve Nigeria’s underserved and unbanked populations.
Speaking during a panel session titled “Social Inclusion, A Veritable Tool for Financial Inclusion,” Chika Nwosu joined other industry leaders to share insights on strengthening participation among women, rural dwellers, low-income earners, and other financially excluded groups.
Chika Nwosu highlighted PalmPay’s commitment to inclusive finance through its 500,000-strong agent network, which enables seamless cash-in/cash-out services for unbanked users across Nigeria. He also emphasised the importance of PalmPay’s USSD platform, 861#, which allows users with basic phones or limited internet access to perform essential financial transactions.
“Financial inclusion goes beyond access; it must be equitable and tailored to real-life needs,” Chika Nwosu said. He shared how PalmPay leverages behavioural insights to design impactful services, including affordable health insurance, reliable bill payments, merchant solutions, and automated savings features that support financial discipline among users.
The session further examined the role of grassroots agents and community touchpoints in driving last-mile adoption. Chika Nwosu noted that PalmPay’s widespread community presence continues to build trust and encourage excluded populations to embrace digital financial tools.
The session was moderated by Ronke Kuye of the CeBIH Advisory Council and featured representatives from E-Doc Online, SmartCash Payment Service Bank, SANEF, and EFINA.
PalmPay reaffirmed its commitment to driving accessible, secure, and inclusive financial services for all Nigerians. PalmPay is a leading digital banking platform driving financial inclusion and economic empowerment in underserved emerging markets. Through its secure, user-friendly, and inclusive suite of financial services, PalmPay empowers individuals and businesses with tools to manage and grow their money.
PalmPay offers a comprehensive range of products, including mobile payments, savings, and micro-insurance via its app and mobile money agent network.
Since launching in Nigeria in 2019 under a Mobile Money Operator license, the platform has grown to over 35 million app users. PalmPay has operations in Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, and Bangladesh.
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